Are they worth entering? Especially the ones you have to pay for?
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Well, it's a big question. I think some of the larger competitions are raising considerable sums of money, whereas the prize money allocated is relatively small. Take the Bridport, one of the most prestigious. Do the maths. If the entries are the same as last year, 8,000 people will enter the short story competition at £9.00 a go. That's £72,000 in revenue. But prize money is "only" £5,000 for First, £1,000 for Second, £500 for Third prize. So big, big profits - which go towards the Bridport Arts Centre.
And that's just for the short story competition. They have poetry, novel and flash fiction sectors, too. I believe they and other competition organisers should be more open about profits made. What do others think?
When I was studying at Uni, I entered one of my film scripts to the Nicholl's competition in Hollywood. I didn't win but the experience of sending my script to Hollywood, and waiting to hear back from them, more than compensated for the entry fee.
Well, it's a big question. I think some of the larger competitions are raising considerable sums of money, whereas the prize money allocated is relatively small. Take the Bridport, one of the most prestigious. Do the maths. If the entries are the same as last year, 8,000 people will enter the short story competition at £9.00 a go. That's £72,000 in revenue. But prize money is "only" £5,000 for First, £1,000 for Second, £500 for Third prize. So big, big profits - which go towards the Bridport Arts Centre.
And that's just for the short story competition. They have poetry, novel and flash fiction sectors, too. I believe they and other competition organisers should be more open about profits made. What do others think?
I was thinking of entering the short story one but im not all that good at writing short stories! Maybe i'll give it ago!
When I was studying at Uni, I entered one of my film scripts to the Nicholl's competition in Hollywood. I didn't win but the experience of sending my script to Hollywood, and waiting to hear back from them, more than compensated for the entry fee.